NITI Aayog’s Project For Great Nicobar Island

WHY IN NEWS:

• Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has flagged serious concerns about NITI Aayog’s ambitious project for Great Nicobar Island

BACKGROUND

• The Island Development Agency (IDA) was constituted in 2017 under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The IDA looks into the holistic development of islands.
• NITI Aayog has been mandated with the task to steer the holistic development of the islands sustainably.
• The program aims to attain sustainable development in the identified Islands without damaging the pristine biodiversity.
• In this regard, the NITI Aayog came up with
  • Great Nicobar Development plan
  • Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island

ABOUT THE GREAT NICOBAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

• The NITI Aayog has developed Rs 75,000 crore vision for the ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’.
• The plan envisages the use of about 244 sq. km. region for development purposes.
• The plan entails the development of a transshipment terminal with a Greenfield international airport, townships and solar and gas-based power plants.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) will be the nodal agency for the implementation of the Great Nicobar Development plan.

ABOUT GREAT NICOBAR

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands of India, north of Sumatra.
• Great Nicobar Island was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami with many deaths, and was cut off from all outside contact for more than a day.
• The island covers 921 km² but is sparsely inhabited, with a population of 8067, largely being covered by rainforest and known for its diverse wildlife.
• The island is home to:
  • Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
    • The majority of the island is designated as the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
    • It is home to many endemic species of plants and animals including the Nicobar scrubfowl, Nicobar long-tailed macaque, saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), giant leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Malayan box turtle, Nicobar tree shrew, reticulated python (Python reticulatus) and the giant robber crab
  • Indira Point
    • It is the southernmost point of India
  • INS Baaz naval air station
    • It is near Campbell Bay under the joint-services Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • The island has several rivers, including the Alexandra, Amrit Kaur, Dogmar and Galathea

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GREAT NICOBAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

• Job opportunities for locals:
  • The plan involves the creation of infrastructure (ports, airports, etc.) >> this will help in creating satisfactory jobs for the locals.
• Economic development:
  • It will help in creating tourism prospects in the region >> This will aid the income generation in the region.
  • The per capita income in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for the year 2015-16 was Rs. 1,24,361.
  • This was much lower than the per-capita income of other Union Territories
• Improving basic amenities for island residents:
  • Island residents find the power outages a major problem, especially during the monsoons, as well as a paucity of groceries and rice, sugar, salt, diesel and petrol, thanks to irregular ship services.
  • Few vegetables are grown commercially on Great Nicobar, so the island isn’t yet self-sufficient
  • Developmental plans will improve the amenities available to residents
• Connectivity:
  • The development of world-class infrastructure will help in improving inter-island connectivity >> thereby, improving governance and boosting export potential.
• Social Benefits:
  • It would further create affordable state-of-the-art facilities for healthcare, quality education, and adequate air, sea and web infrastructure.
  • It will facilitate the delivery of e-governance services such as telemedicine and tele-education, as a part of the Digital India initiative.
• Strategic benefit:
  • The Nicobar Island located in proximity to the strait of Malacca.
  • This demands the creation of robust infrastructure for meeting geopolitical interests in the region.
  • The islands are also home to India’s only tri-services command – the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).
  • The command holds immense relevance due to rising Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

CONCERNS

• Threat to biodiversity:
  • Construction in the region threaten the biodiversity of the region
  • The beaches at the mouth of the river Galathea in South Bay are among the most prominent nesting sites of Giant leatherback turtles.
  • Similarly, 90% of the Nicobar megapode’s nesting sites are within a distance of 30 m from the shore.
• Against the spirit of environmental legislations:
  • Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) denotified the entire Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for building port and other related infrastructure.
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972 – the parent legislation from which NBWL draws its powers – doesn’t permit the diversion of protected areas, like national parks and sanctuaries, unless the diversion will benefit the area’s wildlife.
  • Hence the plan violates the purpose of such legislations
• Not considering the water resource availability
  • The project is also unrealistic given the islands’ prevailing water scarcity.
  • The islands depend on rain for their freshwater needs. The longest river flowing through Great Nicobar, Galathea, isn’t voluminous enough.
  • There may not be enough freshwater to sustain a large-scale developmental project over the long run
• Affects tribal rights:
  • The island has two indigenous groups – the Nicobarese and the Shompen, a forest-dwelling community.
  • The proposed project areas are important grounds for Shompen.
  • Initiation of work would make large forest areas inaccessible and useless for the Shompen.
• Limited consideration to disaster vulnerability:
  • The island is prone to natural disasters and more so in the light of aggravating climate change.
  • This reality does not receive due consideration in the development strategies.
  • For example, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in a seismically highly active zone (zone V).
  • The NITI Aayog’s strategy of island development does not auger well with this vulnerability
  • Further, Andaman and Nicobar observe frequent storms and cyclones. This can easily destroy constructed structures.
  • For instance, In 2004 Tsunami caused a 3-4 metre land subsidence. This is the reason for the submergence of a lighthouse located at Indira point.
• Undermining international obligations:
  • The Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • So preservation of this pristine biodiversity is an International Obligation of India.
• Lack of inclusiveness in development:
  • The inhabitants of the island have their own priorities, lifestyle and needs.
  • In accordance with that, they have developed traditional wisdom with regard to existence on these islands
  • Current development plans discount these traditional wisdoms

WAY FORWARD

• Due consideration to tribal rights:
  • The development work must be carried out with due regard to tribal rights. This would involve proper adherence to policies like the Shompen Policy of 2015.
  • The Shompen Policy of 2015 calls for giving priority to tribal rights over large scale development proposals.
• Engaging with foreign countries with past experience in island development:
  • India should enhance cooperation with countries like Japan, South Korea etc. This will help in developing successful island development models
• Eco-friendly construction:
  • Construction of infrastructure should be done using eco-friendly practices like strict adherence to GRIHA code for building construction.
  • GRIHA means Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment.
• Follow NITI Aayog’s Panchatantra Principles of Sustainable Development:
  • A mix of P2 (Public Projects), P3 (Public Private Partnership) and P4 (People Public Private Partnership) projects
  • Optimum Budget allocation
  • Creation of an environment conducive for private sector participation
  • Peoples’ participation in equity
  • Development Strategy = Social Strategy + Supportive Strategy
    • Social Strategy >> means strategies to generate additional income for the islanders
    • Supportive Strategy >> means strategies to create assets for sustaining their high level of income in the long run
• Conduct proper Environment impact assessment
  • Any construction under the Great Nicobar Development plan should involve a proper Environment impact assessment (as mandated by the Environment Protection Act 1986).
  • This will make development more feasible and it will minimise the threat of excessive environmental degradation.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. “Island development strategy in India should give due consideration to local priorities along with infrastructural and strategic needs”. Comment